The Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) was developed and tested to assess the validity and reliability of a brief, user-friendly screening interview for frailty in seniors. The study aimed to evaluate the EFS in a sample referred for comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). The EFS includes 10 domains, with two performance-based items: the Clock test for cognitive impairment and the Timed Get Up and Go for balance and mobility. The EFS was found to be valid and reliable, with good inter-rater reliability (κ = 0.77) and acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.62). It was also correlated with the Geriatrician's Clinical Impression of Frailty (GCIF), age, and medication count. The EFS required less than 5 minutes to administer and was reported to be acceptable to both operators and study participants. The study found that inpatients had higher EFS scores than outpatients, and those who lived with assistance had higher scores than those who lived independently. The EFS showed good construct validity, with a significant correlation with the Barthel Index but not with the Mini-Mental State Examination. The EFS was validated in the hands of non-specialists, suggesting its potential as a practical and clinically meaningful measure of frailty in various settings. The study highlights the need for a brief tool that can be used by non-specialist geriatricians. The EFS is a valid, reliable, and feasible tool for routine use by non-geriatricians. However, further studies are needed to test the responsiveness of the EFS. The study also notes that the GCIF, while having good face validity, is not a 'gold standard' and reflects the blinded, systematic judgment of geriatric specialists after completing a CGA. The study's findings should be interpreted with caution when generalizing to unscreened community populations or more narrow research populations. The identification of frailty should alert healthcare providers to special needs, not consign individuals to inferior care. The EFS appears to be a valid and reliable measure of frailty, suitable for routine use by non-geriatricians.The Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) was developed and tested to assess the validity and reliability of a brief, user-friendly screening interview for frailty in seniors. The study aimed to evaluate the EFS in a sample referred for comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). The EFS includes 10 domains, with two performance-based items: the Clock test for cognitive impairment and the Timed Get Up and Go for balance and mobility. The EFS was found to be valid and reliable, with good inter-rater reliability (κ = 0.77) and acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.62). It was also correlated with the Geriatrician's Clinical Impression of Frailty (GCIF), age, and medication count. The EFS required less than 5 minutes to administer and was reported to be acceptable to both operators and study participants. The study found that inpatients had higher EFS scores than outpatients, and those who lived with assistance had higher scores than those who lived independently. The EFS showed good construct validity, with a significant correlation with the Barthel Index but not with the Mini-Mental State Examination. The EFS was validated in the hands of non-specialists, suggesting its potential as a practical and clinically meaningful measure of frailty in various settings. The study highlights the need for a brief tool that can be used by non-specialist geriatricians. The EFS is a valid, reliable, and feasible tool for routine use by non-geriatricians. However, further studies are needed to test the responsiveness of the EFS. The study also notes that the GCIF, while having good face validity, is not a 'gold standard' and reflects the blinded, systematic judgment of geriatric specialists after completing a CGA. The study's findings should be interpreted with caution when generalizing to unscreened community populations or more narrow research populations. The identification of frailty should alert healthcare providers to special needs, not consign individuals to inferior care. The EFS appears to be a valid and reliable measure of frailty, suitable for routine use by non-geriatricians.